Systems for receiving electromagnetic energy using antennas that are minimally affected by the presence of the human body

ABSTRACT

An antenna for receiving wireless power from a transmitter is provided. The antenna includes multiple antenna elements, coupled to an electronic device, configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) power waves from the transmitter, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element. Furthermore, the multiple antenna elements are arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the RF power waves by the antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%. Lastly, at least one antenna element is coupled to conversion circuitry, which is configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/683,167, filed on Nov. 13, 2019, entitled “Systems For Receiving Electromagnetic Energy Using Antennas That Are Minimally Affected By The Presence Of The Human Body,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/767,365, filed Nov. 14, 2018, entitled “Miniaturized, Tunable, Omnidirectional Antennas Minimally Affected by Presence of Human Body,” each of which is herein fully incorporated by reference in its respective entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission, and more particularly to omnidirectional antennas that are minimally affected by the presence of the human body.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, notebooks and other electronic devices have become a necessity for communicating and interacting with others. The frequent use of portable electronic devices, however, uses a significant amount of power, which quickly depletes the batteries attached to these devices. Inductive charging pads and corresponding inductive coils in portable devices allow users to wirelessly charge a device by placing the device at a particular position on an inductive pad to allow for a contact-based charging of the device due to magnetic coupling between respective coils in the inductive pad and in the device.

Conventional inductive charging pads, however, suffer from many drawbacks. For one, users typically must place their devices at a specific position and in a certain orientation on the charging pad because gaps (“dead zones” or “cold zones”) exist on the surface of the charging pad. In other words, for optimal charging, the coil in the charging pad needs to be aligned with the coil in the device in order for the required magnetic coupling to occur. Additionally, placement of other metallic objects near an inductive charging pad may interfere with operation of the inductive charging pad. Thus, even if the user places their device at the exact right position, if another metal object is also on the pad, then magnetic coupling still may not occur and the device will not be charged by the inductive charging pad. This results in a frustrating experience for many users as they may be unable to properly charge their devices. Also, inductive charging requires a relatively large receiver coil to be placed within a device to be charged, which is less than ideal for devices where internal space is at a premium.

Inductive charging pads more recently have been used to wireless charge electronic devices that frequently move, e.g., a computer mouse. However, these types of pads are expensive and heavy, and they also suffer from the inherent drawbacks associated with inductive charging. For example, a computer mouse can be slightly raised off the surface during usage (e.g., during gaming, where movements of the computer mouse are abrupt and aggressive). When the computer mouse is raised off the inductive charging pads, magnetic coupling between the pad of the mouse is degraded, or lost completely. This result is unsatisfactory to users as the cursor on the computer screen tends to jump or skip when magnetic coupling is interfered with or lost. Additionally, as mentioned in the paragraph above, metal objects interfere with magnetic coupling. As such, jewelry worn by users (e.g., rings, bracelets, etc.) can interfere with the magnetic coupling between the inductive charging pad and the corresponding circuitry located on the computer mouse.

Charging using electromagnetic radiation (e.g., microwave radiation waves) offers promise.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for a wireless charging solution that: (i) can be integrated with movable electronic devices, such as a computer mouse, (ii) is not affected by known uses of the electronic device, and (iii) is minimally affected by presence of the human body (among other objects that may interfere with reception of RF energy). One solution is to incorporate antennas into movable electronic devices that, together with the appropriate circuitry, can charge the device's battery or directly power the device using electromagnetic radiation. Antenna systems that charge using electromagnetic radiation are far less susceptible to interference from metallic objects, relative to inductive charging pads. Furthermore, the antennas disclosed herein are designed to substantially reduce interferences caused by the human body, while ensuring that the reception of RF energy is still safe for human users.

(A1) In some embodiments, an antenna for receiving wireless power from a wireless-power-transmitting device is provided. The antenna (e.g., loop antenna 300, FIG. 3A) includes a plurality of antenna elements, forming a planar loop, configured to receive horizontally polarized (polarization parallel to the plane of the loop) electromagnetic (radio frequency, RF) power waves transmitted by a wireless-power-transmitting device. Each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements includes a male component and a female component, and the male component of a first respective antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements mates with the female component of a second respective antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements (the first and second respective antenna elements being adjacent to each other, e.g., adjacent/neighboring segments in the planar loop). Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a transmission line. Moreover, conversion circuitry, coupled to the transmission line, is configured to: (i) convert energy from the received electromagnetic power waves into usable power, and (ii) provide the usable power to an electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

(A2) In some embodiments of the antenna of A1, each of the plurality of antenna element includes: (i) a segment body with first and second opposing ends, (ii) the female component is a slot (e.g., slot 306, FIG. 3A) defined by the segment body, the slot extending from the first end into the segment body, and (iii) the male component is a protrusion (e.g., protrusion 308, FIG. 3A) extending from the second end away from the segment body.

(A3) In some embodiments of the antenna of A2, the protrusion of the first respective antenna element is positioned within the slot defined by the second respective antenna element. The protrusion of the first respective antenna element does not contact the second respective antenna element.

(A4) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A1-A3, the plurality of antenna elements creates an omnidirectional antenna as a result of at least: (i) a shape of each of the plurality of antenna elements, and (ii) an arrangement of the plurality of antenna elements.

(A5) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A1-A4, at least one antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements includes one or more tuning elements, and the one or more tuning elements are configured to adjust an operating frequency of the antenna by adjusting a length of the at least one antenna element's male component.

(A6) In some embodiments of the antenna of A5, the one or more tuning elements are switchably coupled to each other and the at least one antenna element's male component via diodes.

(A7) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A5-A6, the one or more tuning elements are configured to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna to a first operating frequency when no human hand is in contact with the electronic device, and the one or more tuning elements are configured to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna to a second operating frequency, different from (or the same as) the first operating frequency, when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device. The contact of the hand shifts the frequency away from the desired operation frequency. With the tuning elements, the desired frequency can be regained (i.e., in some embodiments, the same operating frequency is targeted with and without the hand being in contact with the electronic device).

In some embodiments, a sensor may detect the human hand, and in response, a processor in communication with the one or more tuning elements and the processor may connect (or disconnect) one or more of the tuning elements with the at least one antenna element. In another example, a feedback loop may be used to determine (e.g., by a processer in communication with the one or more tuning elements) that the human hand is in contact with the electronic device (e.g., an unexpected drop in reception efficiency is detected). In response to detecting the unexpected drop, the processor may connect (or disconnect) one or more of the tuning elements with the at least one antenna element. In this way, the antenna can be dynamically tuned to account for the human hand being in contact with the electronic device.

(A8) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A1-A7, the plurality of antenna elements has a reception efficiency above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%.

(A9) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A1-A8, the first antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements has a surface area that is less than respective surface areas of other antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements, and the surface area of the first antenna element is reduced, relative to the respective surface areas of the other antenna elements, to increase a gain of the antenna in a predefined direction.

(A10) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A1-A9, the antenna is integrated with an electronic device, and the first antenna element is located towards a preferred direction of the electronic device that can maximize the link with the wireless-power-transmitting device. In such embodiments, the first antenna element can be located towards a nose of the electronic device (e.g., a front-end of a computer mouse).

(A11) In some embodiments of the antenna of A10, the transmission line is connected to the first antenna element.

(A12) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of A10-A11, a housing of the electronic device has a first surface shaped for a palmar surface of a user's hand and a second surface, opposite the first surface, to translate on a working surface; and the plurality of antenna elements forming the planar loop is coupled to the second surface of the housing. In other embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements forming the planar loop may be placed anywhere parallel to the second surface and inside a volume (e.g., cavity) defined by the two surfaces, but not necessarily attached to the second surface.

(A13) In some embodiments of the method of any of A1-A12, the electromagnetic power waves are transmitted at a frequency of approximately 5.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, or 900 MHz.

(B1) In another aspect, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes electronics to track movement of the electronic device and a housing having a first surface shaped for a palmar surface of a user's hand and a second surface, opposite the first surface, to translate on a working surface. The electronic device also includes a loop antenna, coupled to the second surface of the housing, that includes a plurality of antenna elements forming a planar loop. The plurality of antenna elements is configured to receive horizontally polarized (polarization parallel to the plane of the loop) electromagnetic power waves transmitted by a wireless-power-transmitting device. The electronic device also includes conversion circuitry, coupled to the loop antenna and the electronics, configured to: (i) convert energy from the received electromagnetic power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronics. The loop antenna included in the electronic device of (B1) includes any of the structural characteristics of the antenna described above in any of A1-A12.

(C1) In yet another aspect, an antenna for receiving wireless power from a wireless-power-transmitting device is provided. The antenna (e.g., stack antenna 600, FIG. 6A) includes a plurality of substrates, arranged in a stack, forming a pyramidal frustum. The antenna also includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive vertically polarized (along the pyramid axis) electromagnetic power waves transmitted by a wireless-power-transmitting device. Each antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements is attached to one of the plurality of substrates. In addition, one (or more) of the plurality of antenna elements is coupled to a transmission line. Conversion circuitry, coupled to the transmission line, is configured to: (i) convert energy from the received electromagnetic power waves into usable power, and (ii) provide the usable power to an electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

(C2) In some embodiments of the antenna of C1, substrates in the plurality of substrates do not directly contact one another. Instead, the substrates are spaced-apart, thereby forming a layered pyramidal frustum.

(C3) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C1-C2, further including multiple sets of metal rods, where each of the plurality of substrates is supported by one set of metal rods from the multiple sets of metal rods.

(C4) In some embodiments of the antenna of C3, each substrate includes a set of vias defined through the substrate and connected to: (i) predefined portions of one of the plurality of antenna elements at one end, and (ii) one of the sets of metal rods at the other end.

(C5) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C3-C4, each set of metal rods separates two neighboring substrates by a predefined distance.

(C6) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C1-05, the plurality of substrates includes first and second substrates. The first substrate includes: (i) a first antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the first antenna element being a first four-pronged antenna element; and (ii) four vias positioned at respective ends of the first four-pronged antenna element. In addition, the second substrate, which is positioned above the first substrate in the stack, includes: (i) a second antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements, the second antenna element being a second four-pronged antenna element; and (ii) four vias, vertically aligned with the four vias of the first substrate, positioned at respective ends of the second four-pronged antenna element. In some embodiments, a design of the first four-pronged antenna element is the same as a design of the second four-pronged antenna element. However, in some other embodiments a design of the first four-pronged antenna element differs from a design of the second four-pronged antenna element. For example, with reference to FIGS. 6D-6E, the two antenna element designs differ from each other.

(C7) In some embodiments of the antenna of C6, further including four metal rods that each have a first length, where: (i) each of the four metal rods connects one of the four vias of the second substrate with one of the four vias of the first substrate, and (ii) the second substrate is vertically offset from the first substrate by the first length.

(C8) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C6-C7, the first and second substrates are parallel. For example, with reference to FIG. 6C, substrate 602-E parallels substrate 602-D, and vice versa (e.g., both substrates are horizontally oriented).

(C9) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C6-C8, an operating frequency of the antenna corresponds, at least in part, to a magnitude of the first length.

(C10) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C6-C9, the first and second substrates are rectangular; and a largest cross-sectional dimension of the second substrate is less than a largest cross-section dimension of the first substrate.

(C11) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C6-C10, the first four-pronged antenna element has a first surface area, the second four-pronged antenna element has a second surface area, and the second surface area is less than the first surface area.

(C12) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C1-C11, the ground plane forms a bottom of the stack, and a first respective antenna element, of the plurality of antenna elements, is partially coupled to the ground plane. For example, the first respective antenna element may include a plurality of prongs, and one or more of the plurality of prongs are coupled to the ground plane while one or more other prongs of the plurality of prongs are not coupled to the ground plane. Instead, the one or more other prongs are coupled to the transmission line. In some embodiments, the first respective antenna element is nearest the ground plane, relative to the other antenna elements in the stack.

(C13) In some embodiments of the antenna of C12, the transmission line is coupled to the first respective antenna element.

(C14) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of C1-C13, at least one of the plurality of antenna elements follows a meandered path to increase an effective length of the antenna element, thereby lowering a resonant frequency of the antenna and reducing an overall size of the antenna. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the other antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements have a different design from the at least one antenna element.

(D1) In yet another aspect, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes electronics to track movement of the electronic device and a housing having a first surface shaped for a palmar surface of a user's hand and a second surface, opposite the first surface, to translate on a working surface. The electronic device also includes an antenna, integrated with the housing, including multiple substrates that are spaced apart and arranged in a stack. In addition, (i) each substrate includes a respective antenna element, (ii) the multiple substrates arranged in the stack form a pyramidal frustum, and (iii) the antenna is configured to receive vertically polarized radio frequency (RF) power waves transmitted from a wireless-power-transmitting device. The electronic device also includes conversion circuitry, coupled to the loop antenna and the electronics, configured to: (i) convert energy from the received electromagnetic power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronics. The antenna included in the electronic device of (D1) includes the structural characteristics of the antenna described above in C1-C14.

(E1) In another aspect, an antenna for receiving wireless power from a wireless-power-transmitting device is provided. The antenna (e.g., loop-slot antenna 800, FIG. 8A) includes: (i) an inner antenna element, coupled to a transmission line, configured to receive electromagnetic power waves by a wireless-power-transmitting device, wherein the inner antenna element forms an open loop, (ii) an outer antenna element, separated from the inner antenna element, configured to receive electromagnetic power waves by the wireless-power-transmitting device, wherein the outer antenna element forms an open-loop and surrounds the inner antenna element, and (iii) first and second sets of tuning elements positioned adjacent to first and second ends of the outer antenna element, respectively, the first and second sets of tuning elements being configured to adjust an operating frequency of the antenna. In addition, conversion circuitry, coupled to the transmission line, is configured to: (i) convert energy from the received electromagnetic power waves into usable power, and (ii) provide the usable power to an electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

(E2) In some embodiments of the antenna of E1, the antenna is attached to the electronic device of B 1. For example, the antenna of E1 is attached to a bottom surface of the electronic device, in a similar manner as the loop antenna 300 (FIG. 3A).

(E3) In some embodiments of the antenna of E2, the first and second sets of tuning elements are configured to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna to a first operating frequency when no human hand is in contact with the electronic device, and the first and second sets of tuning elements are configured to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna to a second operating frequency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device.

(E4) In some embodiments of the antenna of E3, the second operating frequency is the same as the first operating frequency.

(E5) In some embodiments of the antenna of E4, the human hand in contact with the electronic device shifts a frequency of the antenna away from the first operating frequency, and the first and second sets of tuning elements are used to regain the first operating frequency when the human hand is in contact with the electronic device.

(E6) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E3-E5, a sensor (e.g., receiving sensor 128) signals a processor (e.g., processor 140) when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, and the processor is in communication with the first and second sets of tuning elements. In such instances, the processor is configured to connect (or disconnect) one or more tuning elements of the first and second sets of tuning elements with the outer antenna element in response to being signaled by the sensor.

(E7) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E1-E6, the inner antenna element and the outer antenna element together form an omnidirectional antenna.

(E8) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E1-E7, the inner antenna element and the outer antenna element are positioned on a plane, and the inner and outer antenna elements are configured to receive electromagnetic power waves with polarizations parallel to the plane.

(E9) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E1-E8, the inner antenna element, the outer antenna element, and the first and second sets of elements are coupled to a substrate.

(E10) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E1-E9, a surface area of the outer antenna element is greater than a surface area of the inner antenna element.

(E11) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of E1-E10, ends of the inner antenna element are coupled to a transmission line or other feed mechanism.

(F1) In yet another aspect, another antenna is provided. The antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements configured to receive radio-frequency power waves from a wireless-power-transmitting device, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element in the plurality of antenna elements. Moreover, the plurality of antenna elements is arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the radio-frequency power waves by the plurality of antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%. Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of antenna elements is coupled to conversion circuitry, the conversion circuitry being configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to an electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device.

(F2) In some embodiments of the antenna of F1, the antenna elements in the plurality form a planar loop and are coupled to a surface of a peripheral device.

(F3) In some embodiments of the antenna of F2, the antenna elements in the plurality are arranged in the planar loop to prevent interference with functional components of the peripheral device.

(F4) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of F2-F3, the peripheral device is a computer mouse, and the surface of the peripheral device is a bottom surface of the computer mouse.

(F5) In some embodiments of the antenna of any of F2-F4, the antenna elements in the plurality that form the planar loop are configured to receive horizontally polarized radio-frequency power waves.

(F6) In some embodiments of the antenna of F 1, the antenna elements in the plurality form a pyramidal frustum and are embedded in a peripheral device.

(F7) In some embodiments of the antenna of F6, the antenna elements in the plurality that form the pyramidal frustum are configured to receive vertically polarized radio-frequency power waves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

So that the present disclosure can be understood in greater detail, a more particular description may be had by reference to the features of various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. The appended drawings, however, merely illustrate pertinent features of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting, for the description may admit to other effective features.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of a wireless power transmission system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example working environment in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3B show different views of a loop antenna minimally affected by the presence of the human body in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates a resulting radiation pattern produced by the loop antenna of FIGS. 3A-3B without the human body present in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the resulting radiation pattern of FIG. 4A (taken along the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 4A), in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates a return loss graph for the loop antenna depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates a resulting radiation pattern produced by the loop antenna of FIGS. 3A-3B in the presence of the human body, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the resulting radiation pattern of FIG. 5A (taken along the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 5A), in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5C illustrates a return loss graph for the loop antenna depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B in the presence of the human body, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C show different views of a stack antenna minimally affected by the presence of the human body in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6D-6H show example designs of each antenna element included in the stack antenna depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 7A illustrates a resulting radiation pattern produced by the stack antenna of FIGS. 6A-6C in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the resulting radiation pattern of FIG. 7A (taken along the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 7A), in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7C illustrates a return loss graph for the stack antenna depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8A shows a loop-slot antenna minimally affected by the presence of the human body in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8B illustrates a resulting radiation pattern produced by the loop-slot antenna of FIG. 8A without the human body present, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8C illustrates a return loss graph for the loop-slot antenna depicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9A illustrates a resulting radiation pattern produced by the loop-slot antenna of FIG. 8A in the presence of the human body, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9B illustrates a return loss graph for the loop-slot antenna depicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with some embodiments.

In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given system, method or device. Finally, like reference numerals may be used to denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous details are described herein in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, some embodiments may be practiced without many of the specific details, and the scope of the claims is only limited by those features and aspects specifically recited in the claims. Furthermore, well-known processes, components, and materials have not been described in exhaustive detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure pertinent aspects of the embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components of wireless power transmission environment 100, in accordance with some embodiments. Wireless power transmission environment 100 includes, for example, transmitters 102 (e.g., transmitters 102 a, 102 b . . . 102 n) and one or more receivers 120 (e.g., receivers 120 a, 120 b . . . 120 n). In some embodiments, each respective wireless power transmission environment 100 includes a number of receivers 120, each of which is associated with a respective electronic device 122. In some instances, a transmitter 102 is referred to herein as a “wireless-power-transmitting device” or a “wireless power transmitter.” Additionally, in some instances, a receiver 120 is referred to herein as a “wireless-power-receiving device” or a “wireless power receiver.”

An example transmitter 102 (e.g., transmitter 102 a) includes, for example, one or more processor(s) 104, a memory 106, one or more antenna arrays 110, one or more communications components 112 (also referred to herein as a communications radio), and/or one or more transmitter sensors 114. In some embodiments, these components are interconnected by way of a communications bus 108. References to these components of transmitters 102 cover embodiments in which one or more of these components (and combinations thereof) are included.

In some embodiments, the memory 106 stores one or more programs (e.g., sets of instructions) and/or data structures, collectively referred to as “modules 107” herein. In some embodiments, the memory 106, or the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of the memory 106 stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   information received from receiver 120 (e.g., generated by         receiver sensor 128 or processor 140, and then transmitted to         the transmitter 102 a);     -   information received from transmitter sensor 114;     -   an adaptive pocket-forming module that adjusts one or more power         waves transmitted by one or more transmitters 102; and/or     -   a beacon transmitting module that transmits a communication         signal 118 for detecting a receiver 120 (e.g., within a         transmission field of the transmitter 102).

The above-identified modules (e.g., data structures and/or programs including sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory 106 stores a subset of the modules identified above. In some embodiments, an external mapping memory 133 that is communicatively connected to communications component 112 stores one or more modules identified above. Furthermore, the memory 106 and/or external mapping memory 133 may store additional modules not described above. In some embodiments, the modules stored in the memory 106, or a non-transitory computer readable storage medium of memory 106, provide instructions for implementing respective operations in the methods described below. In some embodiments, some or all of these modules may be implemented with specialized hardware circuits that subsume part or all of the module functionality. One or more of the above-identified elements may be executed by one or more of processor(s) 104. In some embodiments, one or more of the modules described with regard to the memory 106 is implemented on the memory of a server (not shown) that is communicatively coupled to one or more transmitters 102 and/or by a memory of electronic device 122 and/or receiver 120.

In some embodiments, a single processor 104 (e.g., processor 104 of transmitter 102 a) executes software modules for controlling multiple transmitters 102 (e.g., transmitters 102 b . . . 102 n). In some embodiments, a single transmitter 102 (e.g., transmitter 102 a) includes multiple processors 104, such as one or more transmitter processors (configured to, e.g., control transmission of signals 116 by antenna array 110), one or more communications component processors (configured to, e.g., control communications transmitted by communications component 112 and/or receive communications by way of communications component 112) and/or one or more sensor processors (configured to, e.g., control operation of transmitter sensor 114 and/or receive output from transmitter sensor 114).

The wireless power receiver 120 receives power transmission signals 116 and/or communications 118 transmitted by transmitters 102. In some embodiments, the receiver 120 includes one or more antennas 124 (e.g., an antenna array including multiple antenna elements), power converter 126, receiver sensor 128, and/or other components or circuitry (e.g., processor(s) 140, memory 142, and/or communication component(s) 144). In some embodiments, these components are interconnected by way of a communications bus 146. References to these components of the receiver 120 cover embodiments in which one or more of these components (and combinations thereof) are included.

The receiver 120 converts energy from received signals 116 (also referred to herein as RF power transmission signals, or simply, RF signals, RF waves, electromagnetic (EM) power waves, power waves, or power transmission signals) into electrical energy to power and/or charge electronic device 122. For example, the receiver 120 uses the power converter 126 to convert energy derived from power waves 116 to alternating current (AC) electricity or direct current (DC) electricity usable to power and/or charge the electronic device 122. Non-limiting examples of the power converter 126 include rectifiers, rectifying circuits, voltage conditioners, among suitable circuitry and devices. The power converter 126 is also referred to herein as “conversion circuitry.”

In some embodiments, the receiver 120 is a standalone device that is detachably coupled to one or more electronic devices 122. For example, the electronic device 122 has processor(s) 132 for controlling one or more functions of the electronic device 122, and the receiver 120 has processor(s) 140 for controlling one or more functions of the receiver 120. In some other embodiments, the receiver 120 is a component of the electronic device 122. For example, processors 132 control functions of the electronic device 122 and the receiver 120. In addition, in some embodiments, the receiver 120 includes one or more processors 140, which communicates with processors 132 of the electronic device 122.

In some embodiments, the electronic device 122 includes one or more processors 132, memory 134, one or more communication components 136, and/or one or more batteries 130. In some embodiments, these components are interconnected by way of a communications bus 138. In some embodiments, communications between the electronic device 122 and receiver 120 occur via communications component(s) 136 and/or 144. In some embodiments, communications between the electronic device 122 and receiver 120 occur via a wired connection between communications bus 138 and communications bus 146. In some embodiments, the electronic device 122 and the receiver 120 share a single communications bus.

The receiver 120 is configured to receive one or more power waves 116 directly from the transmitter 102 (e.g., via one or more antennas 124). Furthermore, the receiver 120 is configured to harvest power waves from one or more pockets of energy created by one or more power waves 116 transmitted by the transmitter 102. In some embodiments, the transmitter 102 is a near-field transmitter that transmits the one or more power waves 116 within a near-field distance (e.g., less than approximately six inches away from the transmitter 102). In some other embodiments, the transmitter 102 is a far-field transmitter that transmits the one or more power waves 116 within a far-field distance (e.g., more than approximately six inches away from the transmitter 102).

In some embodiments, after the power waves 116 are received and/or energy is harvested from a pocket of energy, circuitry (e.g., integrated circuits, amplifiers, rectifiers, and/or voltage conditioner) of the receiver 120 converts the energy of the power waves (e.g., radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) to usable power (i.e., electricity), which powers the electronic device 122 and/or is stored to battery 130 of the electronic device 122. In some embodiments, a rectifying circuit of the receiver 120 translates the electrical energy from AC to DC for use by the electronic device 122. In some embodiments, a voltage conditioning circuit increases or decreases the voltage of the electrical energy as required by the electronic device 122. In some embodiments, an electrical relay conveys electrical energy from the receiver 120 to the electronic device 122.

In some embodiments, the electronic device 122 obtains power from multiple transmitters 102 and/or using multiple receivers 120. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmission environment 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices 122, each having at least one respective receiver 120 that is used to harvest power waves from the transmitters 102 into usable power for charging the electronic devices 122.

In some embodiments, the one or more transmitters 102 adjust values of one or more characteristics (e.g., waveform characteristics, such as phase, gain, direction, amplitude, polarization, and/or frequency) of power waves 116. For example, a transmitter 102 selects a subset of one or more antenna elements of antenna array 110 to initiate transmission of power waves 116, cease transmission of power waves 116, and/or adjust values of one or more characteristics used to transmit power waves 116. In some embodiments, the one or more transmitters 102 adjust power waves 116 such that trajectories of power waves 116 converge at a predetermined location within a transmission field (e.g., a location or region in space), resulting in controlled constructive or destructive interference patterns. The transmitter 102 may adjust values of one or more characteristics for transmitting the power waves 116 to account for changes at the wireless power receiver 120 that may negatively impact transmission of the power waves 116.

In some embodiments, respective antenna arrays 110 of the one or more transmitters 102 may include antennas having one or more polarizations. For example, a respective antenna array 110 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand circular polarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as well as any number of polarization combinations. In some embodiments, antenna array 110 is capable of dynamically varying the antenna polarization (or any other characteristic) to optimize wireless power transmission.

In some embodiments, respective antenna arrays 110 of the one or more transmitters 102 may include a set of one or more antennas configured to transmit the power waves 116 into respective transmission fields of the one or more transmitters 102. Integrated circuits (not shown) of the respective transmitter 102, such as a controller circuit (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) and/or waveform generator, may control the behavior of the antennas. For example, based on the information received from the receiver 120 by way of the communication signal 118, a controller circuit (e.g., processor 104 of the transmitter 102, FIG. 1 ) may determine values of the waveform characteristics (e.g., amplitude, frequency, trajectory, direction, phase, polarization, among other characteristics) of power waves 116 that would effectively provide power to the receiver 120, and in turn, the electronic device 122. The controller circuit may also identify a subset of antennas from the antenna arrays 110 that would be effective in transmitting the power waves 116. In some embodiments, a waveform generator circuit (not shown in FIG. 1 ) of the respective transmitter 102 coupled to the processor 104 may convert energy and generate the power waves 116 having the specific values for the waveform characteristics identified by the processor 104/controller circuit, and then provide the power waves to the antenna arrays 110 for transmission.

In some embodiments, constructive interference of power waves occurs when two or more power waves 116 (e.g., RF power transmission signals) are in phase with each other and converge into a combined wave such that an amplitude of the combined wave is greater than amplitude of a single one of the power waves. For example, the positive and negative peaks of sinusoidal waveforms arriving at a location from multiple antennas “add together” to create larger positive and negative peaks. In some embodiments, a pocket of energy is formed at a location in a transmission field where constructive interference of power waves occurs.

In contrast, destructive interference of power waves occurs when two or more power waves are out of phase and converge into a combined wave such that the amplitude of the combined wave is less than the amplitude of a single one of the power waves. For example, the power waves “cancel each other out,” thereby diminishing the amount of energy concentrated at a location in the transmission field. In some embodiments, destructive interference is used to generate a negligible amount of energy or “null” at a location within the transmission field where the power waves converge.

In some embodiments, the communications component 112 transmits communication signals 118 by way of a wired and/or wireless communication connection to the receiver 120. In some embodiments, the communications component 112 generates communication signals 118 used for triangulation of the receiver 120. In some embodiments, the communication signals 118 are used to convey information between the transmitter 102 and receiver 120 for adjusting values of one or more waveform characteristics used to transmit the power waves 116. In some embodiments, the communication signals 118 include information related to status, efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, and other types of information.

In some embodiments, the communications component 112 includes a communications component antenna for communicating with the receiver 120 and/or other transmitters 102 (e.g., transmitters 102 b through 102 n). In some embodiments, these communication signals 118 are sent using a first channel (e.g., a first frequency band) that is independent and distinct from a second channel (e.g., a second frequency band distinct from the first frequency band) used for transmission of the power waves 116.

In some embodiments, the receiver 120 includes a receiver-side communications component 144 (also referred to herein as a communications radio) configured to communicate various types of data with one or more of the transmitters 102, through a respective communication signal 118 generated by the receiver-side communications component (in some embodiments, a respective communication signal 118 is referred to as an advertising signal). The data may include location indicators for the receiver 120 and/or electronic device 122, a power status of the device 122, status information for the receiver 120, status information for the electronic device 122, status information about the power waves 116, and/or status information for pockets of energy. In other words, the receiver 120 may provide data to the transmitter 102, by way of the communication signal 118, regarding the current operation of the system 100, including: information identifying a present location of the receiver 120 or the device 122, an amount of energy (i.e., usable power) received by the receiver 120, and an amount of usable power received and/or used by the electronic device 122, among other possible data points containing other types of information.

In some embodiments, the data contained within communication signals 118 is used by the electronic device 122, the receiver 120, and/or the transmitters 102 for determining adjustments to values of one or more waveform characteristics used by the antenna array 110 to transmit the power waves 116. Using a communication signal 118, the transmitter 102 communicates data that is used, e.g., to identify receivers 120 within a transmission field, identify electronic devices 122, determine safe and effective waveform characteristics for power waves, and/or hone the placement of pockets of energy. In some embodiments, the receiver 120 uses a communication signal 118 to communicate data for alerting transmitters 102 that the receiver 120 has entered or is about to enter a transmission field, provide information about the electronic device 122, provide user information that corresponds to the electronic device 122, indicate the effectiveness of received power waves 116, and/or provide updated characteristics or transmission parameters that the one or more transmitters 102 use to adjust transmission of the power waves 116.

In some embodiments, transmitter sensor 114 and/or receiver sensor 128 detect and/or identify conditions of the electronic device 122, the receiver 120, the transmitter 102, and/or a transmission field. In some embodiments, data generated by the transmitter sensor 114 and/or receiver sensor 128 is used by the transmitter 102 to determine appropriate adjustments to values of waveform characteristics used to transmit the power waves 116. Data from transmitter sensor 114 and/or receiver sensor 128 received by the transmitter 102 includes, e.g., raw sensor data and/or sensor data processed by a processor 104, such as a sensor processor. Processed sensor data includes, e.g., determinations based upon sensor data output. In some embodiments, sensor data received from sensors that are external to the receiver 120 and the transmitters 102 is also used (such as thermal imaging data, information from optical sensors, and others).

In some embodiments, the receiver sensor 128 is a gyroscope that provides raw data such as orientation data (e.g., tri-axial orientation data), and processing this raw data may include determining a location of the receiver 120 and/or or a location of receiver antenna 124 using the orientation data. Furthermore, the receiver sensor 128 can indicate an orientation of the receiver 120 and/or electronic device 122. As one example, the transmitters 102 receive orientation information from the receiver sensor 128 and the transmitters 102 (or a component thereof, such as the processor 104) use the received orientation information to determine whether electronic device 122 is flat on a table, in motion, and/or in use (e.g., next to a user's head).

Non-limiting examples of the transmitter sensor 114 and/or the receiver sensor 128 include, e.g., infrared, pyroelectric, ultrasonic, laser, optical, Doppler, gyro, accelerometer, microwave, millimeter, RF standing-wave sensors, resonant LC sensors, capacitive sensors, and/or inductive sensors. In some embodiments, technologies for the transmitter sensor 114 and/or the receiver sensor 128 include binary sensors that acquire stereoscopic sensor data, such as the location of a human or other sensitive object.

In some embodiments, the transmitter sensor 114 and/or receiver sensor 128 is configured for human recognition (e.g., capable of distinguishing between a person and other objects, such as furniture). Examples of sensor data output by human recognition-enabled sensors include: body temperature data, infrared range-finder data, motion data, activity recognition data, silhouette detection and recognition data, gesture data, heart rate data, portable devices data, and wearable device data (e.g., biometric readings and output, accelerometer data).

FIG. 2 illustrates an example working environment 200 in accordance with some embodiments. The example working environment 200 includes an electronic device 122 (e.g., a peripheral device, such as a computer mouse) coupled with a receiver 120 (not shown). The example working environment 200 also includes a transmitter 102 that is configured to transmit wireless power waves (e.g., power waves 116) to the receiver 120 coupled in the electronic device 122. The working environment 200 also shows the electronic device 122 positioned on a working surface 202. The electronic device 122 is configured to traverse (e.g., slide) on the working surface 202 (e.g., computer mouse traversing a mouse pad). The working environment 200 also includes a human arm/hand 204 positioned on the electronic device 122 (e.g., a human hand operates a personal computer using a computer mouse).

Various embodiments of the antenna 124 are illustrated and described below. For example, a first embodiment of the antenna 124 is illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 5C. A second embodiment of the antenna 124 is illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 7C. A third embodiment of the antenna 124 is illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9B. The first, second, and third embodiments of the antenna 124 are designed to be integrated with (e.g., embedded in or attached to) existing electronic devices, such as a computer mouse. Furthermore, the first, second, and third embodiments of the antenna 124 are designed to maintain a satisfactory operating efficiency even in the presence of the human body (e.g., when a human hand is in contact with a housing of an electronic device in which the antenna 124 is integrated). While not shown, the other components (e.g., power converters 126, receiver sensors 128, communications component 144, etc.) of the receiver 120 can also be integrated with (e.g., embedded in or attached to) the electronic device 122.

First Embodiment—Loop Antenna

FIG. 3A shows an isometric view of a loop antenna 300 that is minimally affected by the presence of the human body (e.g., a human hand that is in contact with a housing of an electronic device with which the loop antenna 300 is integrated) in accordance with some embodiments. Put another way, the loop antenna 300 maintains a satisfactory level of efficiency (e.g., greater than 50%) when, e.g., a human hand is in contact with the electronic device 122 (i.e., in close proximity of the loop antenna 300). As shown, the loop antenna 300 includes a plurality of segments 302-A, 302-B, etc. (also referred to herein as “antenna segments,” “antenna elements,” “radiating elements,” and “radiators”) forming a loop. The segments 302 can be attached to a substrate 303, and the substrate 303 is configured for integration with an electronic device 122, such as a computer mouse, remote control, etc. For example, a computer mouse, as shown in FIG. 2 , has a housing with a first surface (e.g., a top surface) shaped for a palmar surface of a user's hand 204 and a second surface (e.g., a bottom surface), opposite the first surface, to translate on the working surface 202. The substrate 303 can form at least a part of the second surface, and thus, the loop antenna 300 is located as far as possible from the human hand 204. A primary advantage of this arrangement is that a human hand does not substantially detune the antenna (i.e., the electromagnetic waves 116 transmitted by the transmitter 102 are minimally affected by the human hand).

Each segment 302 (e.g., antenna element) includes a segment body 304 with first and second opposing ends, a slot 306 (also referred to herein as a “female component”) extending from the first end into the segment body 304 (i.e., the segment body 304 defines the slot 306), and a protrusion 308 (also referred to herein as a “male component”) extending from the second end away from the segment body 304. Furthermore, the protrusion 308 of a first segment (e.g., segment 302-A) of the plurality of segments is positioned within the slot 306 defined by a second segment (e.g., segment 302-B) of the plurality of segments (and the same is true for the other segments). Put plainly, each protrusion is mated with a corresponding slot of a neighboring segment. The interlocking arrangement of the segments 302 creates the “loop” of the loop antenna 300. Notably, a respective protrusion 308 does not contact the neighboring segment when mated with the corresponding slot 306 of the neighboring segment. The non-contiguous design of the loop antenna 300 allows for the loop antenna 300 to be omnidirectional and radiate at the desired frequency, as explained below. In some embodiments, the loop antenna has a total length of about a half wavelength (e.g., if the loop antenna is operating at 900 MHz, then the loop antenna has a total length of approximately 166.5 millimeters).

By using these specifically shaped segments (e.g., the slot-protrusion configuration in an oval-planar design), the loop antenna 300 is configured to operate as an omnidirectional antenna (e.g., the loop antenna 300 can receive RF power waves coming from any direction). In contrast, typical loop antennas operate as boresight antennas (e.g., a directional antenna where maximum gain is along a certain axis). However, a boresight antenna would not perform well on the electronic device 122 of FIG. 2 as it rotates during usage (e.g., user turns his or her computer mouse left and right during use), and therefore, the electronic device 122 is not always positioned or pointing along the “boresight” (i.e., the axis of maximum gain). Thus, an omnidirectional antenna is desired for working environments such as that depicted in FIG. 2 , in which the omnidirectional antenna disclosed here is integrated with an electronic device, such as a computer mouse. The omnidirectional capabilities of the loop antenna 300 are at least two-fold: (i) distinct conductive loads are formed at each segment as a result of the plurality of segments being adjacent yet separate, and (ii) the specifically shaped segments create a uniform current around the entire loop antenna 300.

As noted above, the loop antenna 300 is configured to receive electromagnetic waves that are polarized in a direction that is substantially parallel (within +/−25 to 35 degrees of parallel) to a plane of the loop antenna 300 (e.g., horizontally-polarized waves for the loop antenna 300 integrated with the electronic device 122 depicted in FIG. 2 ). A current on a wire creates an electromagnetic field around it with its polarization in the direction of the wire. Given the reciprocity theorem, an electromagnetic field polarized along the direction of a wire will excite a current along the wire. The loop can be seen as a circular/oval wire that will be excited by electromagnetic waves that are polarized in any direction along the plane of the loop. If the polarization is perpendicular to the plane of the loop, however, then no current will be excited on the metallic loop and therefore no energy is received by the antenna.

Each of the antenna elements 302 has a similar shape (e.g., each antenna element/segment has (i) a segment body, (ii) a female component, and (iii) a male component), but sizes of the antenna segments 302 are not necessarily the same. For example, with reference to FIG. 3A, each of the segments 302 has the same shape (e.g., segment 302-A has the same shape as segment 302-B), except for segment 302-K. Segment 302-K is positioned at a “nose” of the electronic device 122, and thus, segment 302-K is intended to be the closest segment to the transmitter 102. As shown, segment 302-K's shape is similar to the other segments, but it is substantially smaller relative to the other segments (e.g., a body 304 of the segment 302-K is smaller relative to respective bodies 304 of other segments 302 shown in FIG. 3A). As such, the segment closest to the transmitter 102 has the least amount of material, and in this way, the loop antenna 300 increases its gain in the direction of the transmitter 102 (i.e., the loop antenna is biased in the direction of the transmitter 102). “Nose” refers to a forward-facing portion of the electronic device that is pointing towards the wireless-power-transmitting device depicted in FIG. 2 . An example of the “nose” 205 is shown in FIG. 2 .

In contrast, designers of conventional loop antennas used in wireless telecommunications systems are not typically concerned with increasing antenna gain in the direction of a transmitting device. In some instances, this is because wireless communication signals are low power signals (relative to the higher-power signals used in wireless charging applications) and, importantly, a general location of the transmitting device is not predetermined. Therefore, antennas (e.g., some conventional loop antennas) used in wireless telecommunications systems are designed to receive communication signals (e.g., cellular signals, BLUETOOTH signals, etc.) in an omnidirectional fashion and without having an increased gain in any particular direction. The loop antenna 300 described herein is designed to have this feature, namely an increased gain in the direction of the transmitter 102. In addition, as detailed below, the loop antenna 300 includes tuning elements allowing the loop antenna 300 to account for a mismatch of the antenna 300 introduced by a human hand contacting the housing of the electronic device in which the loop antenna 300 is integrated. By designing the loop antenna 300 with these advantageous characteristics specific to wireless-power-transfer applications (e.g., incorporating tuning elements and ensuring that increased gain is in the direction of the transmitter), the inventors have designed the loop antenna 300 to help enable the safe transmission of wireless power in the working environment 200 described herein.

The loop antenna 300 has an added advantage of not obstructing existing/common components of the electronic device 122. In embodiments in which the electronic device 122 is a computer mouse, such a computer mouse has a light source (e.g., a light-emitting diode, LED) to detect movement of the mouse relative to a surface (e.g., the working surface 202). The light source is thus critical to the mouse's operation, and therefore, any component attached to a computer mouse cannot obstruct the light source. The loop antenna 300 is advantageous because the segments 302 are positioned along the substrate 303's perimeter, and thus, a light source (not shown) of the computer mouse 122 positioned in a central portion of the substrate 303 is not obstructed by the loop antenna 300. As such, the computer mouse's basic design and operation is unhindered by the disclosed loop antenna 300.

In some embodiments, one or more of the segments 302 include tuning elements (shown in magnified view 309) configured to adjust an operating frequency of the antenna 300. In the illustrated embodiment, each segment 302 includes one or more respective tuning elements 310 positioned at the end of the segment's protrusion 308. The tuning elements 310 (e.g., metallic portions/strips) can be used to adjust the operating frequency of the loop antenna 300 by connecting a respective tuning element to the respective protrusion 308, either directly, as is the case with the tuning element 310-1, or indirectly via one or more other tuning elements 310, thereby creating an electrical short across the respective tuning element(s), and modifying an overall length of the respective protrusion 308, and in turn, an area of the loop antenna 300.

The magnified view 309 of FIG. 3A illustrates connections 312 between tuning elements 310 and the respective protrusion 308. For ease of discussion below, connections 312-A-312-D are electrical switches that may include one or more transistors or diodes that selectively couple one or more of the tuning elements to the respective protrusion 308. The connections could also be metal deposits, such as solder. For example, the tuning elements may be manufactured without a connection to an antenna segment and one or more of the tuning elements may be connected to (e.g., or disconnected from) by soldering a connection (e.g., or removing a soldered connection) to connect (e.g., or disconnect) the tuning element to the antenna element.

With reference to magnified view 309, electrical switches 312-A-312-D are disposed between the respective protrusion 308 and tuning elements 310-A-310-D. In some embodiments, each electrical switch 312 is switchably coupled to one of the tuning elements 310-A-310-D. In some embodiments, the switches 312-A-312-D are controlled by a controller (e.g., processor 140) of the receiver 120, and the controller may adjust an operating frequency of the antenna 300 by connecting one of the tuning elements 310-A-310-D with the respective protrusion 308 through corresponding switches. For example, the loop antenna 300 has a first operating frequency when the first tuning element 310-A is connected with the respective protrusion 308 through switch 312-A, the antenna 300 has a second operating frequency, different from the first operating frequency, when the first and second tuning elements 310-A, 310-B are connected with the respective protrusion 308 through switches 312-A and 312-B, and so on. Although not shown, the tuning elements associated with the other antenna segments 302 may also include the same arrangement shown in the magnified view 309.

In light of the above, in some embodiments, the receiver 120 can adjust the operating frequency of the loop antenna 300 using one or more sets of tuning elements shown in FIG. 3A. In this way, the antenna 300's operating frequency and/or bandwidth can be adjusted in response to, e.g., detecting the presence of the hand 204 near the antenna 300 (e.g., when the hand is placed in contact with a housing of the electronic device 122) introducing a slight miss-match and de-tuning of the antenna 300. In some embodiments, the level of adjustment is approximately +/−15 MHz (although greater and lesser ranges are possible). For example, increasing a length of the respective protrusion 308 by connecting one or more of the tuning elements 310 to the respective protrusion 308 down tunes the loop antenna 300 (i.e., lowers the operating frequency).

FIG. 3B illustrates a backside of the substrate 303 in accordance with some embodiments. As shown, the backside of the substrate 303 includes a radio frequency (RF) port 320 and a transmission line 322. The transmission line 322 is coupled to a portion of the loop antenna 300. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the transmission line 322 is coupled to the segment 302-K of the loop antenna 300. As discussed above, the segment 302-K is the smaller segment of the loop antenna 300. Smaller antenna segments support stronger currents and therefore, connecting the transmission line 322 to segment 302-K increases the collected power. The transmission line 322 could be potentially connected to any of the segments, and oriented in any direction, but orienting it towards the nose of the electronic device 122 and the transmitter 102 enhances the received power. Thus, because the transmission line 322 is at the nose of the electronic device 122, the loop antenna 300's current is the highest at the nose of the electronic device 122 and in the direction of the transmitter 102. Such an arrangement further increases the loop antenna 300's gain in the direction of the transmitter 102.

FIG. 4A illustrates a radiation pattern 400 produced by an embodiment of loop antenna 300 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B without the human body present. As shown, the radiation pattern 400 is substantially omnidirectional, as discussed above. The loop antenna 300 is able to achieve, without the human body present near the loop antenna 300, an efficiency of approximately 94%. FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view 410 of the radiation pattern 400 (taken along the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 4A). The cross-sectional view 410 includes gain along the X-axis and gain along the Y-axis, and shows the substantially omnidirectional shape of the radiation pattern 400. Importantly, the loop antenna 300 radiates more energy forwards than backwards (e.g., towards a nose of the electronic device 122), and thus, the loop antenna 300 has a positive front-to-back ratio. FIG. 4C illustrates a return loss graph 420 for the loop antenna 300 depicted in FIGS. 3A-33 , where the resonance frequency is about 1.05 GHz.

FIG. 5A illustrates a resulting radiation pattern 500 produced by an instance of the loop antenna 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B in the presence of the human body (e.g., when a user's hand is in contact with a housing of the electronic device 122 with which the loop antenna 300 is integrated). In this example, the radiation pattern 500 is influenced by the presence of the human hand 204. The radiation pattern 500 is still substantially omnidirectional, albeit less symmetrical relative to the radiation pattern 400. FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view 510 of the radiation pattern 500 (taken along the X-Y plane shown in FIG. 5A). The cross-sectional view 510 includes gain along the X-axis and gain along the Y-axis, and shows the substantially omnidirectional shape of the radiation pattern 500. Importantly, the loop antenna 300 radiates more energy forwards than backwards (e.g., towards a nose of the electronic device 122) in the presence of the human body, and thus, the loop antenna 300 maintains its positive front-to-back ratio. FIG. 5C illustrates a return loss graph 520 for the loop antenna 300 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3B in the presence of the human body. The curve S₁₁ shows the antenna return loss, indicating that the antenna 300 is down-tuned (relative to the return loss graph 420) due the presence of the human body and now working at the desired frequency. The presence of the hand (e.g., when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device) also enhances the bandwidth and provides better matching at the expenses of lower radiation efficiency since there is resistive matching.

Second Embodiment—Stack Antenna

FIG. 6A shows an isometric view of a stack antenna 600 that is minimally affected by the presence of the human body in accordance with some embodiments. Put another way, the stack antenna 600 maintains a satisfactory level of efficiency (e.g., greater than 50%) when, e.g., a human hand is in contact with the electronic device. The stack antenna 600 is designed to be miniaturized so that it can be integrated with (e.g., embedded in), if desired, an electronic device, such as a computer mouse, remote control, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the stack antenna 600 includes a plurality of substrates 602-A-602-E that form a pyramidal frustum (substrates 602 are transparent for ease of discussion and illustration). The pyramidal-frustum shape allows the stack antenna 600 to fit inside various electronic devices 122. For example, a computer mouse may include a cavity defined in a bottom-half of the mouse, and the stack antenna 600 may fit inside said cavity (whereas a rectangular cuboid may not fit). In this way, the stack antenna 600 can be concealed inside the electronic device 122, and also located as far as possible from the human hand 204. Like the loop antenna 300, a primary advantage of this arrangement is that a human hand does not substantially detune the antenna (i.e., the electromagnetic waves 116 transmitted by the transmitter 102 are minimally affected by the human hand).

Each substrate 602 includes a respective antenna element 604 that is configured to receive RF power waves 116 transmitted from the transmitter 102. In particular, due to the stacked design of the antenna 600 (and the interconnecting of antenna elements between substrate layers by metal rods 610), the antenna elements 604 are configured to receive RF power waves having a particular polarization. Specifically, the antenna 600 is designed to received waves that are polarized in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of each of the substrates 602. Thus, when the substrates 602 are horizontally oriented (e.g., aligned along a horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 6A), the antenna elements 604, in combination with the metal rods 610, are configured to receive vertically polarized RF power waves.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the antenna element 604-E has a four-prong (e.g., four-arm) design, where each prong meanders away from a central patch 615. It is noted, however, that a surface area (and design) of respective antenna elements 604 may differ depending on a position of the antenna element within the stack. For example, antenna elements 604 higher in the stack have smaller surface areas relative to surface areas of antenna elements 604 lower in the stack (e.g., lower antenna elements 604 have longer prongs relative to prongs of higher up antenna elements). By using these specifically shaped antenna elements 604, the stack antenna 600 is an omnidirectional antenna. As explained above with reference to the loop antenna 300, an omnidirectional antenna is desired for the disclosed application because the electronic device 122 moves and rotates left and right during usage. Example designs of each antenna element 604-A-604-E are shown in FIGS. 6D-6H.

The stack antenna 600 further includes a feeding mechanism 607 (e.g., a coaxial cable or any other type of connector, microstrip line, coplanar line, or any other feed line). A feed line of the feeding mechanism 607 may be connected to one of the antenna elements 604 (e.g., antenna element 604-A of the substrate 602-A). Furthermore, the feed line can be isolated from the ground plane 606 by a dielectric included in the feeding mechanism 607.

As explained below with reference to FIG. 6B, each antenna element 604 includes a plurality of prongs (or arms) 609 (e.g., at least two prongs 609). For example, each antenna element 604 illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B has four prongs 609 (greater or lesser number of prongs can also be used). In some embodiments, for each antenna element 604: (i) a first prong of the plurality of prongs 609 is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the feed line of the feeding mechanism 607, and (ii) the one or more other prongs of the plurality of prongs 609 are connected, either directly or indirectly, to the ground plane 606. Alternatively, in some embodiments, for each antenna element 604: (i) a first set of prongs of the plurality of prongs 609 is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the feed line of the feeding mechanism 607, and (ii) a second set of prongs, different from the first set of prongs, of the plurality of prongs 609 is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the ground plane 606.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of the stack antenna 600 in accordance with some embodiments. For ease of illustration, borders/perimeters of individual substrates 602 are not shown in FIG. 6B, except for the border of substrate 602-A. As shown, the antenna element 604-E, which is attached to the substrate 602-E, includes four prongs 609-A-609-D that extend and meander away from a central patch 615 (e.g., a metal patch). Various meandering paths can be used, and the meandering paths shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B with perpendicularly-oriented segments are merely one set of possible paths. For example, the four prongs 609-A-609-D may also follow meandering paths with additional perpendicular segments, and/or the meandering paths may be curved. The meandering paths are used, among other things, to increase an effective length the antenna element 604, thus resulting in a lower resonant frequency of the antenna 600 while reducing an overall size of the antenna 600. In doing so, the antenna 600 can be sufficiently miniaturized (e.g., the stack antenna 600, when operating at approximately 915 MHz can have the following example dimensions (approximately): D1=36 mm, D2=27 mm, D3=17 mm, D4=15 mm (FIG. 6C), and D5=3 mm (FIG. 6C)). Further, each substrate 602 may have a thickness of approximately 0.025 mm. It is also noted that a surface area of the central patch 615 can be adjusted to tune an impedance of the antenna 600. In some embodiments, the other antenna elements 604 do not follow a meandering path per se, as shown with reference to FIGS. 6E-6H. Nevertheless, a path followed by the other antenna elements 604 still increases an effective length of the antenna element 604.

In some embodiments, each substrate 602 has a rectangular shape. However, in some other embodiments, each substrate 602 has a circular, hexagonal, triangular, etc. shape. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least one substrate 602 has a shape that differs from the shapes of the other substrates 602. The central patch 615 may also have a circular, hexagonal, triangular, etc. shape.

In some embodiments, each substrate 602 includes a plurality of vias 608 positioned at respective ends (or end portions) of the antenna element 604. For example, the substrate 602-E in FIG. 6B includes four vias 608 positioned at respective ends (or end portions) of its four-pronged antenna element 604. In some embodiments, one or more of the vias 608 of a first substrate 602 is/are vertically aligned with one or more of the vias 608 of a second substrate 602, where the first substrate 602 is the substrate directly above the second substrate 602 (e.g., dotted box in FIG. 6C showing vertical alignment of vias defined by neighboring substrates). Due to this alignment, FIG. 6B does not show all the vias 608 included in the antenna 600. Vias are discussed in further detail below with reference to FIG. 6C.

FIG. 6C shows a side view of the stack antenna 600 in accordance with some embodiments. While not shown in FIG. 6C, each antenna element 604 is positioned on a first surface 612 of its associated substrate 602. The stack antenna 600 includes metal rods 610 positioned between neighboring substrates (or substrate 602-A and the ground plane 606). Specifically, a set of metal rods 610 is used to separate and support neighboring substrates 602. For example, the substrate 602-E is separated from the substrate 602-D by a first set of metal rods, the substrate 602-D is separated from the substrate 602-C by a second set of metal rods, and so on. The metal rods 610 of the stack antenna 600 help to impart desired polarization to the antenna 600 (e.g., a vertical polarization when the antenna is oriented within a housing of a computer mouse that is positioned on a flat surface, such as the electronic device 122 of FIG. 2 ). The operating frequency of the antenna 600 can also be tuned by changing the length of the metal rods 610 (i.e., the distance between adjacent substrates).

The number of metal rods 610 in a set corresponds to the number of prongs 609 included in a respective antenna element 604. In the illustrated embodiments, each antenna element 604 has four prongs 609, and therefore, each set of metal rods 610 has four rods. It is noted that greater (or lesser) number of prongs may be defined by a respective antenna element 604. In such instances, the number of rods 610 in the set would change accordingly. The metal rods 610 can be considered part of the antenna elements 604 (e.g., the metal rods 610 can also receive electromagnetic waves transmitted by the transmitter 102).

As shown in FIG. 6C, each via 608 extends through its associated substrate 602 (e.g., via 608 labeled in FIG. 6C extends from the first surface 612 of the substrate 602-E to (and through) a second surface 614 of the substrate 602-E). In this way, a first end of each via 608 (at least in some instances) is connected to an end portion of a respective antenna prong 609, and a second end of each via 608 is connected to a metal rod 610, which is in turn connected to an end portion of another antenna prong 609 on a neighboring substrate 602. In this configuration, the antenna elements 604 are interconnected, and thus, RF power waves 116 received by, say, antenna element 604-E can travel through each of the other antenna elements 604 to be collected by the feed mechanism 607's feed line.

To provide some clarity, a “via” as used herein is a metal deposit filling an opening defined by a substrate. The disclosed vias facilitate electrical connections at both surfaces 612, 614 of a substrate. In contrast, a metal rod is distinct from the substrate. It is noted, however, that two vias and a metal rod can form a unitary component, at least in some embodiments.

As noted above, a first prong of the plurality of prongs 609 for each antenna element 604 is connected, either directly or indirectly, to the feed mechanism 607's feed line. To expand on this, each antenna element 604 has a respective first prong 609 (along with at least a second respective prong 609), and the respective first prongs 609 are interconnected with each other (e.g., by way of vias 608 and rods 610). For example, the first prong 609 of a first antenna element 604 of a first substrate 602 is connected to the first prong 609 of a second antenna element 604 of a second substrate 602 (and so on if additional substrates are included in the antenna 600). Thus, the respective first prongs 609 and the interconnecting metal rods 610 in the antenna 600 form a meandering path with first segments (e.g., the first prongs 609) defined in a first dimension (e.g., defined in a horizontal plane) and second segments (e.g., the metal rods 610) defined in a second dimension (e.g., defined in a vertical plane). As such, the antenna 600 includes multiple, continuous conductive paths (i.e., antenna elements) that extend from the bottom to the top of the antenna 600. This arrangement allows the antenna 600 to receive electromagnetic waves using a small electrical volume.

In some embodiments, an operating frequency of the antenna 600 corresponds, at least in part, to a magnitude of D5 (e.g., a separation distance between neighboring substrates 602 of the antenna 600). As such, in order to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna 600, a length of the metal rods 610 can be increased or decreased as needed.

In some embodiments, antenna 600 is designed as a printed antenna (e.g., metal deposited/printed on a substrate). In other embodiments, the antenna 600 can also be a stamped metal design, where the antenna elements 604 are on air (i.e., the substrates 602 are optional).

FIGS. 6D-6H show the individual antenna elements 604 of the stack antenna 600 shown in FIG. 6A. These individual antenna elements 604 are provided for additional context and for explanatory purposes only (other antenna element designs would be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure). The antenna elements 604 are illustrated sequentially in FIGS. 6D-6H from top to bottom of the stack antenna 600 (e.g., antenna element 604-E is at a top of the stack antenna 600 and antenna element 604-A is at a bottom of the stack antenna 600). Stated another way, FIGS. 6D-6H illustrate antenna elements 604 respectively included on each of the substrates 602 of the stack antenna 600, and FIGS. 6D-6H depict these antenna elements beginning from substrate 602-E and down to substrate 602-A.

FIG. 7A illustrates a radiation pattern 700 produced by an embodiment of stack antenna 600 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C when no human hand is in contact with an electronic device with which the stack antenna 600 is integrated (e.g., the stack antenna 600 is operating without presence of the human body). As shown, the radiation pattern 700 is substantially omnidirectional. FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view 710 of the radiation pattern 700 (taken along the XY plane shown in FIG. 7A). The cross-sectional view 710 includes gain along the X-axis and gain along the Y-axis, and shows the substantially omnidirectional shape of the radiation pattern 700. From FIG. 7B, it can be seen that the co-polarization (vertical) component is approximately 10 dB higher the cross-polarization (horizontal) component. FIG. 7C illustrates a return loss graph 720 for the stack antenna 600 depicted in FIGS. 6A-6C.

Third Embodiment—Loop-Slot Antenna

FIG. 8A shows a top view of a loop-slot antenna 800 that is able to maintain a satisfactory level of efficiency (e.g., greater than 50%) when, e.g., a human hand is in contact with the electronic device. The loop-slot antenna 800 can be integrated with a planar surface of the electronic device 122. For example, a computer mouse can include a surface that contacts and traverses along the working surface 202 (i.e., a bottom of the electronic device 122), and the loop-slot antenna 800 may be attached to that surface. In this way, the loop-slot antenna 800 can be located as far as possible from the human hand 204. Thus, like the loop antenna 300, a primary advantage of this arrangement is that a human hand does not substantially detune the antenna (i.e., the electromagnetic waves 116 transmitted by the transmitter 102 are minimally affected by the human hand).

The loop-slot antenna 800 includes an inner antenna element 802, coupled to a transmission line, configured to receive horizontally polarized (polarization parallel to the plane of the antenna) electromagnetic power waves (e.g., RF power waves 116) from a wireless-power-transmitting device 102. As shown, the inner antenna element 802 forms an open loop (e.g., the inner antenna element 802 is not continuous). Ends of the inner antenna element 802 form a connection area 808 for connecting a transmission/feed line (not shown) with the antenna 800.

The loop-slot antenna 800 also includes an outer antenna element 804, separated from the inner antenna element 802, configured to receive horizontally polarized electromagnetic power waves (e.g., RF power waves 116) from the wireless-power-transmitting device 102. The outer antenna element 804 forms an open-loop and surrounds the inner antenna element 802. The outer antenna element 804 is an “open-loop” because ends 814, 816 of the outer antenna element 804 are separated by a slot 812. The coupling between the outer antenna element 804 and the inner antenna element 802 can be adjusted by changing a width of the slot 812 and lengths of the first and second ends 814, 816.

The loop-slot antenna 800 also includes first and second sets of tuning elements 810-A, 810-B positioned adjacent to the first and second ends 814, 816 of the outer antenna element 804, respectively. The first and second sets of tuning elements are configured to adjust the operating frequency of the antenna. In some embodiments, the first and second sets of tuning elements 810-A, 810-B provide a level of adjustment of up to 130 MHz (although greater and lesser values are possible depending on the number and size of the tuning elements). To provide some context, the presence of the hand 204 near the antenna 800 (e.g., when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device) can introduce a slight miss-match and de-tuning of the antenna 800. The antenna 800, however, can keep operating effectively at the design frequency by connecting one or more tuning elements, from the first and/or second sets of tuning elements, to the outer antenna element 804.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second ends 814, 816 of the outer antenna element 804 are adjacent to the first and second sets of tuning element 810-A, 810-B, respectively. The tuning elements 810 (e.g., metallic strips) can adjust the operating frequency of the antenna 800 by directly connecting a respective tuning element to a respective end 814, 816 of the outer antenna element 804, or indirectly via one or more other tuning elements, thereby creating an electrical short across the respective tuning element(s), and modifying an overall length of the outer antenna element 804, and in turn, an area of the outer antenna element 804. In some embodiments, one or more transistors or diodes (e.g., instances of connections 312-A-312-D, FIG. 3A) are positioned between each respective tuning element 810, and the one or more transistors or diodes are configured to selectively couple one or more of the tuning elements 810 to the outer antenna element 804. In other embodiments, one or more of the tuning elements 810 are connected to each other (and the outer antenna element 810) by metal deposits, such as solder. For example, the tuning elements 810 may be manufactured without any connections and one or more of the tuning elements may be connected (e.g., or disconnected from) by soldering a connection (e.g., or removing a soldered connection) to connect (e.g., or disconnect) the tuning element to the antenna outer element 810. Connections between tuning elements are discussed in further detail above with reference to FIG. 3A.

In some embodiments, the inner antenna element 802, the outer antenna element 804, and the one or more tuning elements 810 are coupled to a substrate 801. To provide some context, the substrate 801, when the antenna 800 is operating at approximately 915 MHz, can have the following dimensions (approximately): D1=40 mm and D2=30 mm. Further, the substrate 801 may have a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm.

FIG. 8B illustrates a radiation pattern 820 produced by an instance of the antenna 800 shown in FIG. 8A without the human body present (but in the presence of a mouse mat and table). As shown, the radiation pattern 820 is substantially omnidirectional (perfect omnidirectionality is achieved when the mat and table are not present). Accordingly, the radiation pattern 820 illustrates that the antenna 800 is mainly immune to the effects of the mat and table. FIG. 8C illustrates a return loss graph for the antenna 800 shown in FIG. 8A without the human body present.

FIG. 9A illustrates a radiation pattern 900 produced by an embodiment of the antenna 800 shown in FIG. 8A with a human hand present. As shown, the hand prevents backwards radiation towards the human, but does not prevent forward radiation, which establishes the link with the transmitter 102. FIG. 9B illustrates a return loss graph 910 for the antenna 800 shown in FIG. 8A with a human hand present. It can be observed that given the bandwidth of the antenna 800 (depicted in FIG. 8C), despite the human hand presence, the antenna 800 is still tuned at the frequency of interest.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first antenna element could be termed a second antenna element, and, similarly, a second antenna element could be termed a first antenna element, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first antenna element” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second antenna element” are renamed consistently. The first antenna element and the second antenna element are both antenna elements, but they are not the same antenna element.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An antenna for receiving wireless power from a wireless-power-transmitting device, the antenna comprising: a plurality of antenna elements, coupled to an electronic device, configured to receive radio-frequency (RF) power waves from a wireless-power-transmitting device, each antenna element being adjacent to at least one other antenna element in the plurality of antenna elements, wherein: the plurality of antenna elements is arranged so that an efficiency of reception of the RF power waves by the plurality of antenna elements remains above a predetermined threshold efficiency when a human hand is in contact with the electronic device, the predetermined threshold efficiency being at least 50%, and at least one antenna element of the plurality of antenna elements is coupled to conversion circuitry, the conversion circuitry being configured to (i) convert energy from the received RF power waves into usable power and (ii) provide the usable power to the electronic device for powering or charging of the electronic device. 